Five men are facing 546 charges in connection with the Feb. 21 theft of dozens of firearms from a downtown apartment.
On Thursday, March 11, officers from 51 Division's major crime unit with the assistance of the Toronto Police Services gun and gang task force and Peel Regional Police executed a series of search warrants in the Greater Toronto Area seizing 10 handguns, an Uzi sub-machine gun as well as 11 other firearms and ammunition they believe were stolen from an apartment unit at 59 Isabella St.
The break and enter occurred sometime between 1 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 18 and Sunday, Feb. 21 at 10:30 p.m. while the resident was away.
During the raids, police also seized a pistol they believe is unrelated to the larger investigation.
The stolen firearms were registered to a known gun collector. Police seized more than 150 other weapons from the residence following the robbery and are storing them in an undisclosed secure area.
Facing dozens of firearms-related charges are Desmond Espeut, 23, of Innisfil; Dwight Longmore, 21 and Robert Thelwell, 29, both of Brampton; Calvin Clarke, 24, Fortunato Zappone, 32 and Steven Hunter, 24, all Toronto.
The accused had a March 17 court appearance.
Anyone with information concerning the stolen firearms is asked to contact police at 416-808-5100, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637).
Police are also reminding the public about the Crime Stoppers Cash for Guns program where people can anonymously receive up to $500 for each illegal gun they turn in, to a maximum of $2,000.